Prevue July/August 2014 - (Page 46)

Dominican Republic Punta Cana hosts its ﬁrst MICE buyer program [ON LOCATION] MICHELLE SOLOMON T he Dominican Annual Tourism Exchange (DATE) marked a new beginning for the MICE segment in the Dominican Republic. Over 800 delegates, including close to 50 meeting and incentive planners from the U.S., France, Mexico, Brazil, China, Poland and Austria, participated in over 4,600 buyer/supplier pre-scheduled appointments at the 744-suite Paradisus Palma Real, where the ﬁrst hosted MICE buyer program in the country was held. At the forefront of discussion was new airlift by Delta and Jet Blue and the addition of a fourth terminal at Punta Cana Airport. A new hop on/hop off Santo Domingo tour that ushers groups through as many as 17 attractions was unveiled by Grey Line. Buses depart every 30 minutes from each of the 16 points and riders can get on or off throughout the tour. In the end, what really stole the show at DATE was the excitement of Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, where a total of 40 projects are underway as part of a ﬁve-year, $29.7 million plan to attract tourism, as well as meeting, incentive and convention groups. Among other things, the revitalization will include street improvements that make way for pedestrians, tourist routes and the modernization of the city's many historic museums. Many hotels in the Colonial Zone are also getting makeovers to capitalize on the rebirth of the city and its intention to become the go-to host city for meetings and conventions. The historic 278room Hotel Occidental El Embajador recently completed a $5 million renovation, which included revamps to its meeting venues. The $20 million renovation at the 225-room Sheraton Santo Domingo Hotel is set to "increase the facility's traditional spaces for business and social events by 83 percent," says Paula Lama, VP of Hoteles Nacionales, the hotel's owner/operator. "In support of the Dominican Ministry of Tourism's new strategy for greater participation in the meetings, incentives and events sector of the industry, the new Sheraton Santo Domingo has expanded its business and convention facilities to 23,000 sf," asserts Lama. The hotel will offer 13 meeting rooms, including the Malécon Terrace, a new 10,000-sf area for business events. The Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino will reopen in April 2015 after the 300-room hotel undergoes a $40 million revitalization. They are also expanding their meetings area while maintaining the historical draw of the hotel. "With the renovation of this historical icon, the Jaragua is placed in a perfect position to offer services to event groups, incentives and conventions," says sales manager Maria Checo. Although Punta Cana has two large convention centers, Paradisus Palma Real and the Barceló Bávaro Convention Center, the country's Ministry of Tourism continues to study the possibility of a convention center in the capital city of Santo Domingo. "We would like to soon have a convention center in Santo Domingo," says Radhames Martinez Aponte, vice minister of tourism for the Dominican Republic. Aponte says the government is currently conducting feasibility studies and believes the convention center will be realized once a private sector partner steps in. godominicanrepublic.com; melia.com; occidentalhotels.com; starwoodhotels.com; marriott.com; delta.com; jetblue.com 46 | prevue magazine 46-47-DATE_Westin Hilton.indd 46 7/3/14 12:46 PM http://www.godominicanrepublic.com http://www.melia.com http://www.occidentalhotels.com http://www.starwoodhotels.com http://www.marriott.com http://www.delta.com http://www.jetblue.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue July/August 2014

Planner’s Pick: The Franklin Institute
Fresh Meets: Marriott Hotels
Bureau Buzz: Bermuda Tourism Authority
Good Business: Anaheim/Orange County CVB
Sea Shores: Table for 2 (Hundred)
Table Talk Creativity and engagement add flavor to culinary events
SPECIAL SECTION: THE CARIBBEAN More than a vacation spot, paradise for meetings
IRF INVITATIONAL Secrets Puerto Los Cabos hosts the biggest incentive forum yet
On Location: Dominican Republic
On Location: Westin Hilton Head
On Location: Vancouver
LOUISIANA Culture, dramatic venues and immersive tours surround the Big Easy
ORLANDO AIBTM host city is a top draw for meetings
On Location: Auckland
SUSTAINABLE MEETINGS GMIC helps planners minimize their footprint
Checkout: Thompson Chicago

Prevue July/August 2014